#DontReturntoNormal:
Active Hope during COVID-19
“Since Active Hope doesn’t require our optimism, we can apply it even in areas where we feel hopeless. The guiding impetus is intention; we choose what we aim to bring about, act for, or express. Rather than weighing our chances and proceeding only when we feel hopeful, we focus on our intention and let it be our guide.”
–Joanna Macy & Chris Johnstone, Active Hope: How to Face the Mess We’re in Without Going Crazy, p. 3
How are you living in “active hope” during these tumultuous times? What do you need to create a more perfect life for yourself? To, perhaps, co-create a healthier world?
These times are trying for many of us. Moreso for some.
I’m extremely fortunate to have a home; a loving partner, friends, family, and faith community; plenty of food and potable water; access to healthcare; and sufficient income. Yet, with all that, I struggle sometimes.
What often guides me is the “intention” mentioned in this Active Hope quote. One might call it “call” or “life purpose.” Or even “vision” or “dream.” Yet, how many of us are unaware of that precious part of us or have forfeited it?
This is the first in a series on reclaiming and realizing your dream.
This graphic steps through one way to move from imagining to living your life dream. I’ve done it before and I’m doing it again. You can, too!
DREAM
What matters most to you? For me that is a just society, a sustainable world where people live their best lives. I believe we all have something valuable to contribute. Therefore, I hope to see every person attain their potential, to do my part to thrive and help others thrive.
1. Claim your passion in that vision
What is your passion? Where is it most alive in this vision?
At this point in my life, thriving includes travel with my life partner, offering one-with-one coaching, hosting small group sessions where people offer each other mutual support, and continuing my education, particularly in ways that increase my mastery in these other areas. These are some of the passions I’ll center in my vision.
2. Identify your place in that dream
What is critical to you in that vision? What are the most sumptuous next steps toward your vision?
For 20 years, I’ve been supporting people following a call. Exploring what people find holy blesses me and others. Yet, manifesting our dreams also takes concerted planning and effort.
Will I travel first to India, New Zealand, or in the U.S.? Which craft breweries are nearby which national parks? Where will I encounter a kelp forest, reef, or brilliant view of the Milky Way? What is the best route between them all?
3. Take stock of your resources
What do you need to realize your vision based on your current circumstances? What finances or forms of support, including investment in yourself?
Vagabonding is not my choice during COVID-19. With mass unemployment, I’m flexing pricing on coaching packages to better serve. I nourish and am nurtured by a small group of encore careerists and one of people semi-retiring. Participants offer one another mutual support aligning our livelihoods with our life visions. (More on this in another blog.) I plan additional integral coaching certification. And, research how RV life is impacted by climate crisis and COVID-19.
That’s an idea of what the Dream includes.
I’ll continue with the following additional steps as this series continues over coming weeks.
DISCERN
4. Look at the big picture
5. Inventory your strengths
6. Assess your growing edges
DO
7. Take “safe to fail” steps
8. Sustain forward motion
9. Celebrate a life of meaning
How will you clarify your dream, your intention with which you can foster active hope, on your way to living your dream?
Play with these steps. Brainstorm alone and with friends, meditate, make art, dance, journal, talk to a friend or coach. Allow your dream to find you as much as you finding it.
When you’re ready, move on to part 2 of this series.
Your best life needs you!
The world needs you!
